Makar Sankranti 2026: A Sacred Festival of Light and Renewal
Makar Sankranti stands as one of the most revered and widely celebrated festivals in Hinduism. People across India observe this day with immense joy and devotion. The festival marks a powerful cosmic event based entirely on solar movement.
The Astronomical Basis of Makar Sankranti
On this auspicious day, the sun shifts from the Sagittarius zodiac sign to Capricorn. This transition represents the sun's movement from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan. Essentially, the sun begins its northward journey. Many regions celebrate this day as Uttarayan, dedicating it to divine gods.
Makar Sankranti 2026 Date and Timings
This year, Makar Sankranti will occur on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The specific timings hold great importance for rituals.
- Makara Sankranti Punya Kala: 03:13 PM to 05:45 PM
- Makara Sankranti Maha Punya Kala: 03:13 PM to 04:58 PM
Spiritual Significance of the Festival
Makar Sankranti carries profound religious and spiritual weight for Hindus. The day symbolizes a shift from darkness to light and from stagnation to growth. Spiritual energies on earth start increasing from this point.
Devotees consider it an extremely sacred day for performing virtuous acts. Taking a holy bath in the Ganga river holds special merit. Many pilgrims visit Ganga ghats for this purpose. The ritual is believed to cleanse karmic deeds from past births and purify the body.
Charitable actions form a core part of the observance. People donate items like white sesame seeds, jaggery, warm clothes, and grains. Feeding brahmins and priests, distributing food and clothes to underprivileged individuals, and performing good deeds are strongly encouraged. These acts are thought to remove sins and ego.
Essential Puja Rituals for Makar Sankranti
- Holy Bath: Wake up early and take a purifying bath. Visiting the Ganga for this bath is considered highly auspicious.
- Offering Arghya: After the bath, offer Arghya to Lord Surya. This ritual honors the sun god.
- Lighting a Diya: Following the Arghya offering, light a diya in front of Lord Vishnu. This act symbolizes the dispelling of darkness.
- Performing Charity: Engage in charitable giving as mentioned. This practice is considered essential on this day.
Shattila Ekadashi Coincidence in 2026
The year 2026 brings an extra layer of auspiciousness. Shattila Ekadashi falls on the same day as Makar Sankranti. This rare conjunction makes the day particularly powerful.
Devotees are advised to perform puja to Lord Vishnu with immense devotion and purity. Observing a fast is recommended. However, people must avoid eating rice khichdi on this day. Consuming rice on Ekadashi is traditionally prohibited.
Makar Sankranti 2026 promises to be a day of great spiritual potency. It blends astronomical significance with deep religious rituals, offering a path for renewal and positive karma.
